3 charged in botched kidnapping

Kansas City, Mo.  Three men face second-degree murder charges in an attempted kidnapping that left a fourth suspect dead.

According to police, the four men plotted to kidnap another member of their gang and demand $50,000. Police said the suspects lured the man to a house Saturday claiming they wanted to buy drugs from him, then bound him with duct tape and called his brother, demanding the ransom be paid within 30 minutes.

The kidnap victim, a man in his 20s, managed to escape without injuries and call police after shooting one of his captors, police said. Police Sgt. Richard Sharp said the shooting was considered self-defense and the man has not been charged.

However, Marlyn L. Standifer, 18, Robertico Cooper, 19, and Antwan Wooden, 21, were charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping and armed criminal action. Standifer and Cooper were in custody, but police were still looking for Wooden, who also is wanted in an unrelated shooting death in January.

According to court records, the shooting happened when Wooden, Standifer and Cooper left to meet the victim's brother, who had gone to the police station.

Court records say the victim was left alone with Keith Wooden, 24, the older brother of Antwan. The hostage worked his hand free from the duct tape and took Keith Wooden's gun from him, court records say. When Wooden lunged at him, the victim fired, court records say. He then fled the house.

Keith Wooden was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cooper also faces assault charges from a previous shooting. He is being held on a $250,000 cash bond, Sharp said. Standifer faces a $500,000 cash bond. Standifer had been sought on murder and assault charges involving shootings in December, January and March.